Real Talk Christian Ministry

Real Talk Christian Ministry Arise Christian Ministry is a place you can get answers to hard questions. We are a non-denominational Christian ministry.

So, it doesn't matter which denomination with which you affiliate. We strive to make this a safe place for being real (real talk).

Labels Don't HelpBy Michael Russeau Now more than ever, people are desperately in search of something on which to base t...
11/01/2024

Labels Don't Help
By Michael Russeau

Now more than ever, people are desperately in search of something on which to base their identity. Some search for it in 23andMe, others try to find it in race, nationality or gender. But, why is that? Identity is a basic human and emotional construct. It gives us a sense of belonging and confidence. It serves as a foundation on which to build our self-esteem and values. Today, people are being encouraged to find their identity in labels; labels associated with race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, national origin, and the like. But, is this helpful? It seems like we spent a lot of effort in the later half of the last century trying to eliminate the labels that we placed on others and now, we are being encouraged to place labels on ourselves. And do this in an effort to fashion a personal self defined identity. Labels however, though they may create a sense of belonging, tend to distinguish us from others and give the impression that there is a right or a wrong identity. I think that this is a reckless approach and nothing more than a Trojan Horse and a form of racism that we are encouraged to impose on ourselves and by which we are once again enslaved.

No other written work addresses identity better than the Bible. Genesis 1:1 (the very first words of the Bible) opens with the statement:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

In this we find the answer to the question, how did everything come into existence? And, later on in the chapter we are introduced to our true identity.

"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." Genesis 1:27

Since the word "image" in the original Hebrew means “likeness” or “resemblance” of God, we can conclude that our true identity can only be found in him. Although many try to argue against the authenticity of the Bible, one must marvel at how comprehensively it answers the questions of our existence and identity; questions that continue to elude philosophers and scientists alike.

Surely, labels are the unfortunate brainchild of misguided social scientists who base their work on the notion that there is no God. If we have learned anything from history, we learn that labels do more to divide than unite, breed distrust and spread hate. What happened to the idea that we are all human, that we come from one common ancestry and therefore the same and equal?

The Book of Genesis (written to a ethnic group of slaves who had lost touch with their history and identity) didn't stop there; it went on to inform them of who and whose they were, their future and purpose:

Chosen, Holy & Treasured:
“God says, ‘But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the descendants of Abraham My friend’". Isaiah 41:8

"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession." (Deuteronomy 7:6)

Imagine how this might have felt to a race of people who had been oppressed and enslaved all their lives and then to be called “chosen”, “holy” and “his treasured possession” by the Creator God himself. And, if it was not enough that God told them where they came from, who and whose they were and that they were chosen, holy and treasured; scripture goes on to inform them that they have a future. A future homeland that God will give them as their own and that he has a beautiful plan and purpose for them as well.

Future & Homeland:
“Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.' ” Exodus 32:13

Plan & Purpose:
“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6b

It was not only God's desire to bless them but to use Israel as an example and a witness to the Gentile nations so that they too might believe, be blessed and be saved. And to bring about this salvation from one of their own descendants: the promised Christ and Eternal King Jesus.

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. Ephesians 2:13-16

This is why the testimony of Jesus, his disciples and the Bible are called “The Good News”. It is because it brings hope where there is no hope, worth where there is no worth, purpose where there is just hard labor, joy where there is no joy and because it rights the wrongs of injustice, racism and sin itself and it establishes our worth, informs our identity and our future.

Denominations, Have They Outlived Their Usefulness? - It's amazing. Most of the things that we call denominational disti...
09/22/2024

Denominations, Have They Outlived Their Usefulness? - It's amazing. Most of the things that we call denominational distinctives (things that make us different) are exclusionary in nature. Not unlike borders that divide territories and nations; today Christian denominations do more to divide than to unite. At one time denominations were an expression of a Church that spread from its native roots (Jerusalem and late Rome) to the whole world. Under the Roman emperor Constantine, Christians were assembled and later formed one Roman Catholic Church which would later splinter into denominations due to geopolitical pressures and theological differences. It was religious freedom in America and the acceptance of denominations that allowed people of different cultures, nationalities and Christian sects to coexist; imperfectly, yes but for the first time in human history people with differing religious affiliations could coexist within one nation in relative peace.

Today however it is reasonable to ask the question, do we still need denominations or denominational labels and why do we cling to them so fiercely? I believe that there are a few good answers for that. We cling to them because in theory, they keep the bad guys out and the good guys in. Many of us from a young age have been warned not to go to this church or that one because they believe this or that. And, many of us have been taught to argue and/or warned not to associate with "them" as if our very salvation hangs in the balance.

When I was a child, it was important to my parents that we go to church every Sunday. Not just when we were home but even while we were traveling on vacation. I remember how careful they were to either find a church within their denomination or to call in advance and ask what they believed to ensure that we didn't go to the "wrong" church. And, if at any point, no matter how small, they differed from our beliefs then they didn't teach the truth. I'm not diminishing the importance of truth and scriptural integrity but to them there were only two types of churches; good ones and bad. Real Christians and heretics. If scripture is correct, denominations or church affiliation has nothing to do with salvation. The true test of Christian fellowship should not be a laundry list of proprietary belief statements that define our denomination, church or personal beliefs, but a common "Spirit... hope... Lord... faith... baptism... God and Father."

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called ; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:4-6 NIV

Have denominations outlived their usefulness? Yes, I believe so. I think, not unlike territories and national boundaries, that they are discriminatory and exclusionary and that they do more to keep good people out than to keep "bad" ones out. And, who are these bad people anyway? They are Christians that share the same basic common beliefs about Jesus, faith and repentance for salvation but might differ or appear to differ slightly or even significantly on some ancillary theological point. How then do we reconcile our differences? Can we do so by criticizing, condemning or refusing to associate with one another? No, and I think we are all sick of that. In 1980, 58% of Americans watched the presidential debate between Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. In 2024, it is reported that only 20% or less watched the debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Why, because I think we hate all the name calling and bickering that goes along with the event and the division it causes. And, I think that's true of most Christians. We are all sick of the name calling, bickering and the division it causes.

What if we take the position that we just might have something to learn from each other? Or, that though we may have differences, maybe we might be discrediting someone who might be just as saved as we are and spiritually more mature simply based on their church or denominational affiliation? I think it's time we drop the name, listen not debate, consider and not judge and welcome and not exclude.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John 17:20-21

Unkempt Gardens - Standing outside every gas station, liquor store and smoke shop is an endless mission field longing fo...
09/18/2024

Unkempt Gardens - Standing outside every gas station, liquor store and smoke shop is an endless mission field longing for even the smallest drop of rain to satisfy the thirst that drugs, alcohol and ci******es will never fill. They look like unkempt gardens, trees and orchards in times of drought and hardly a church will ever go because they are either too "good", too greedy or too cowardly. What they don't need is money, food or more drugs. Those they can get. What they need is Jesus and truth; that which we say we have plenty but are unwilling to share.

A Vision of Heaven by Michael RusseauI had a vision of Heaven last night. I'm not kidding, it's not a joke. I walked int...
08/28/2024

A Vision of Heaven by Michael Russeau

I had a vision of Heaven last night. I'm not kidding, it's not a joke. I walked into Foxtail Coffee last night 2 minutes before they closed. I asked if they were about to close and the lady behind the counter said, "Yes , is there anything I can get for you?" I said, "would there be time enough to get some ice cream? And, she said sure. I ordered a single scoop of Cookie Monster ice cream. Instead of giving me a small scoop, she mounded It to the top and said, "don't worry about it, it's free." It tasted so good!

You see, that is what heaven is like. When you think it is too late, that you missed it and you don't deserve it, God says, "is there anything I can get for you?" And then he offers you grace. Something that you do not deserve, something that you did not pay for; and not just a little. He fills it up to the top and it tastes so good!

Romans 5:6,8 NIV
"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

I did not deserve that ice cream. I arrived too late. That was entirely my fault. But, because of her kind-heartedness and grace, she wanted to serve me and give me that amazingly yummy and satisfying ice cream totally free of charge. All I had to do is swallow my pride and humbly accept it with thankfulness and gratitude.

So many reject grace. They think that their version of life is better. That they must go and get, taste and experience, and possess everything that life has to offer to be happy and find satisfaction. But, the two are not mutually exclusive. One involves lust and craving for what isn't already ours and taking it by force. And, the other involves trust: knowing that the One who owns it (God) wanted us to have it all along but that the only way to enjoy it and find satisfaction in possessing it, is to receive it honesty through him.

"Why" Part  # 3  If God is all powerful, why doesn't he stop bad people from doing bad things? By Michael RusseauI am go...
07/21/2024

"Why" Part # 3 If God is all powerful, why doesn't he stop bad people from doing bad things? By Michael Russeau

I am going to say something you will probably never hear from a church pulpit. There are some things that God cannot do. One of those things is that God cannot make “bad people” do good things.

“The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.” Romans 8:7

What this is saying is that “bad people” are by nature “hostile to God”, opposed to his laws and his moral codes. That is to say that their mind is “governed” (controlled) by selfishness, anger, hate, greed, pride and everything that is not spiritual. And so, they cannot obey God. Just think of it, how many times do we expect bad people to treat us with kindness, respect or even common decency. Is this not entirely delusional? It is like the old joke. “You shouldn't try to teach a pig to sing. It's a total waste of time and it really annoys the pig.” Jesus said as much when he said,

“Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. [18] A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” Matthew 7:17-18

“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Luke 6:45

It is important to recognize that bad people draw from a totally different well. It is not a well of godliness, goodness, kindness, and mercy but a well full of godlessness, hate, selfishness and cruelty. This should not be mistaken for a sign of God's failure but rather that what he said in scripture is true. It is tangible evidence of how desperately depraved mankind is, how truly incapable we are to vanquish sin on our own, and a testimony to the bottomless depths of evil to which a person can fall without God. It is a harsh reality that we must accept. But, at this we should not despair, or give the Devil the victory he desires by questioning God's goodness.

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret---it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land. A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found. But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity. The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.” Psalm 37:7-13

Instead, we must be patient knowing that justice will be done and bad people will get theirs in the end. But here's the thing, according to the scriptures we are all bad people.

“As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;” Romans 3:10

“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.” Ephesians 2:1-3

But, thank God for his kindness, love, mercy and grace. It is because of these alone that bad people like you and I can be saved. None of us had the right to point the finger at anyone else and think that we are any better than them. None of us deserve heaven. Sure, maybe we never committed some horrific crime or great atrocity but sin is a slippery slope. Left to our own, who is to say that anger, resentment, bitterness or mental illness could not have driven us to do the unthinkable.

“At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:3-7 NIV

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24

No one is born saved. But, at the same time we all have sinned. And so, not unlike those “bad people” we deserve to be destroyed. And so, we all need to be saved regardless of how great or small our sins might appear. The point of the Gospel is not that bad people go to hell, but that bad people CAN GO TO HEAVEN. This is where God's kindness, love, mercy and grace comes in. We, like them, are helpless and need a Savior. But grace is meaningless unless we acknowledge that we are sinners just like them and turn to God in repentance and faith.

“I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.” Acts 20:21

“For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” Romans 10:10

The fact is that God cares about bad people like you and I, AND murderers, pedophiles and the like. He created us all but we sinned and so he extends his grace to all who will receive it.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

God doesn't just destroy bad people because we all (every person who has ever lived) are or were bad people at one time. But because of God's kindness, love, mercy and grace, he is patient. He wants everyone to be saved regardless of how small or great their sins might be.

But to be sure, Jesus will return someday. And when he does, those who have rejected him and continue to do evil will face judgment and receive the punishment that they deserve. And to those who have placed their faith in Jesus, turned from their sins and followed his model of kindness, love, mercy and grace, eternal life will be their undeniable inheritance. In this we all should be satisfied knowing that God is both a God of mercy AND justice.

It is possible that after reading this that you are beginning to realize that you have been carrying a heavy load of hurt, bitterness or unforgiveness. Maybe you have never seen God in this light before or maybe you have never received his forgiveness for your sins. If not, lets talk.

Good Friday Restoration Church AD 33Matthew 27:46"About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, El...
03/30/2024

Good Friday Restoration Church

AD 33
Matthew 27:46
"About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

Listen to the words of this Psalms written about 1000 years BEFORE the birth of Jesus echoing, is it were, his words on the cross. But this is no ordinary echo. It is echo from the future heard in the past.

1000 BC
Psalm 22:1-2 NIV
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.

AD 33
Matthew 27:33-34 NIV
They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.

1000 BC
Psalm 22:15 NIV
My mouth is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death.

AD 33
Matthew 27:35 NIV
When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

1000 BC
Psalm 22:16-18 NIV
Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet. All my bones are on display; people stare and gloat over me.
They divide my clothes among them and cast lots for my garment.

AD 33
Matthew 27:38-44 NIV
Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can't save himself! He's the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, 'I am the Son of God.' ” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

1000 BC
Psalm 22:6-8 NIV
But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”

AD 33
Matthew 28:1-6 NIV
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

1000 BC
Psalm 22:23-24 NIV
You who fear the Lord, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

AD 33
Matthew 28:18-20 NIV
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

1000 BC
Psalm 22:27-31 NIV
All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations. All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him---those who cannot keep themselves alive. Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!

Losing a Parentby Michael Russeau A parent is such an important part of our lives.  Parents give us a sense of who we ar...
03/24/2024

Losing a Parent
by Michael Russeau

A parent is such an important part of our lives. Parents give us a sense of who we are as a person. When they are gone we can begin to wonder who we really are, feel lost, helpless and alone without their guidance and moral support. Have you ever had the thought, "I just want to go home? Or, feel the need to talk to them or call them on the phone only to be reminded that they are not there to pick up on the other end? Maybe you spent a lot of time with your parent after you were grown and enjoyed shopping, walking together, having long talks or were their caretaker when in their later years.

I liken grief to taffy. I learned to dislike it when I was a child because it stuck to my teeth and welded my jaws together. Grief can be like that; it sticks to you and it can be hard to get free of it when you want to move on with your life. When my mother passed I wrote, "Grief is like taffy. It comes in countless flavors and I hate them all." Guilt, self blame, I wish I had spent more time…, said…, known… etc., are among some of its flavors.

Lately, I have been finding myself thinking that I'd like to give my parents a call and tell them about my week. Then I am reminded that they are deceased. Also, they have been showing up in my dreams. In these dreams they are separated and I am trying to get them back together. One or the other is bent on divorce and there isn’t anything I can do to dissuade them. In another dream, a storm destroys their home and I am hopelessly sifting through the rubble trying to put it back together or trying to recover lost items. I wake up feeling heart sick wondering, why this dream now?

Some people blame themselves for their unresolved grief as if it is evidence of a lack of faith. For sure faith plays a large role in how well we process a death. A person that has doubts about their loved one's salvation may grieve harder than others, and more so if they have doubts about their own. To process grief properly requires great faith. Faith in God's promises, his faithfulness and provision. If we have confidence in our loved one's salvation and ours; we can be certain that we will see them again because scripture tells us so.

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. [17] After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV)

If we lack confidence in our salvation then we must act. Act by coming to God in humility, acknowledging our sins and receiving his gift of salvation through faith in Jesus.

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:36-38 (NIV)

If we lack confidence in our loved one's salvation then we must rely on the character of God, his kindness and his mercy.

“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” Micah 7:18 (NIV)

Honestly though, I think that many Christians who blame themselves for grieving “too hard” might simply have large gaps left unfilled in their lives. Parents give us a sense of security even after we are grown. With no parent or home to return to, it can make us feel insecure and vulnerable. God did not intend for it to be this way. Death and suffering was not a part of God’s original creation. Genesis chapter 3 records man's rebellion against God and the consequence of sin (death).

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (NIV)

And so, things are not what they should be. What are we supposed to do now?

“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Romans 8:22-25 (NIV)

We must wait patiently. That is the hard truth about losing a patent. The time will come when we will be reunited with our loved ones. Until then, we need to remember that God cares about us.

“He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.” Deuteronomy 10:18 (NIV)

In the meantime, we are called to be like Him. For as much as he cares about our loss, we turn our attention away from ours to recognize the loss that others feel who are like us. For every person who has lost a parent, there is a parent that has lost a son or daughter. How better to fill the emptiness that we feel than to fill the emptiness of another who shares in the experience of losing a loved one? We may find it hard though to even think about someone else filling the void. We might feel that it would be disrespectful or inappropriate to try. But, what if we were to ask ourselves, would our loved one want us to suffer loneliness or would they want us to move on with our life? The answer of course would be no, move on. Jesus, during his last moments on the cross, gives us just such an example.

“When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” John 19:26-27 (NIV)

And what a tender moment it must have been. While enduring such great suffering, Jesus catches a glance of his mother. What will she do when I'm gone; he might have asked? And then he sees one of his disciples. Both gazing up at him with tear filled eyes. And in one last act of compassion he entrusts Mary, his destitute mother, into care of the young Apostle John, his most faithful companion and friend.

02/11/2024

Jesus Speak - "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48 NIV

This is one of many commonly misunderstood teachings of Jesus. Many mistakenly conclude that Jesus expects us to be literally perfect... like all the time. But, that isn't what He is saying here. Our westernized, scientific definition of perfection is at fault. We equate it to things like computers that never make mistakes and subsequently a person who never, ever, ever has a bad thought or sins. That isn't the meaning of the word as it would have been used in the original language here by Jesus. Jesus's begins his teaching saying,
“You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:43-45a NIV.

We all have heard stories about parents that lose a child to a drunk driver but not as often you will hear about a parent that goes to visit the killer in jail just so they can tell them that they forgive them and that they are praying for them. The perfection Jesus is taking about doesn't matter if this happens immediately after in the courtroom or years later because it takes that long for the parent to get over their anger and resentment. Either way it is at that moment that they, that you, become "perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Notice that this perfection does not require faultless performance but a likeness or similarity to the Father's forgiveness, compassion and love whether it comes easy or hard, instantly over time. It is a call to be like the Father in character knowing that though none of us can do it perfectly. But, when you do, you are in that moment being "perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

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